1From John Adams to John Jay, 20 December 1790 (Adams Papers)
Permit me in this Severe Season, to Salute your fireside, and congratulate you on your return from the Northern Circuit. As the time approaches when We are to expect the Pleasure of Seeing you at the Supream Court in Philadelphia, you will give me leave to solicit the Honour and the Pleasure of your Company and that of M rs Jay, and whoever else of the Family who may accompany you, at Bush...
2To John Adams from John Jay, 4 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
a weeks absence on a visit to my friends at Rye, from whence I returned last Evening, prevented my having ’till then, the Pleasure of recieving your very obliging Letter of the 20 Dec r. — For the Invitation with which you honor me, be pleased to accept my cordial acknowledgements— It is conveyed in Terms which enhance the compliment, & I accept it with that Satisfaction which Politeness...
3From John Adams to John Jay, 4 January 1792 (Adams Papers)
As the Week is approaching when you are to be expected at Philadelphia, I take this opportunity to present to you and your Lady the Compliments of the Season, and request the honour and pleasure of your Company at our House during your Visit to this City. We live in Arch Street at the Corner of fourth Street where your old bed is ready for you in as good a Chamber and much more conveniently...
4To John Adams from John Jay, 10 January 1792 (Adams Papers)
I cannot easily tell you how much I am pleased & obliged by your friendly Letter of the 4th. Instant:—were I to pursue my Inclinations, I should without Hesitation accept your kind Invitation—but our Inclinations even in things innocent must not always be gratified. my Visits to Philadelphia have ceased to be occasional, or I should certainly avail myself of those opportunities which your...
5From John Adams to John Jay, 21 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
A difference of opinion having arisen among those of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund, who are now in this City, respecting the construction of their authority under the Act making provision for the Reduction of the Public Debt, by which they are equally divided, your presence here towards settling the principle which is in question, in order to the future conduct of the business, has become...
6To John Adams from John Jay, 23 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment afternoon recd. the Letter wh. you did me the Honor to write on the 21 Inst— by & by which I am informed that the Trustees of the sinking fund are being equally divided in opinion respecting the Construction of their authority under the Act making Provision for the Reduction of the public Debt, my attendance had become necessary— [ crossed out: On considering the Act in...
7To John Adams from John Jay, 27 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
Docr. Edwards of Philada. will be so obliging as to take charge of this Letter. I regret that he & Mrs. Edwards leave this peace so soon—. You will find him a Gentleman of extensive Information.—He has visited the greater part of this Kingdom, and paid particular attention to the Husbandry of it.—Permit me to introduce him to You. I have heard, and wish it may be true, that your Son is...
8To John Adams from John Jay, 21 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
From the Day of my appointment to this mission, my Attention has been much withdrawn from my friends, and confined to the Business which brought me here; & which has at last been terminated by a Treaty. In future I shall have more Leisure to attend to my Friends, and to my own affairs— Both your sons arrived here in good Health. I wrote to my friend John lately, but as yet have not had a...
9To John Adams from John Jay, 24 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines last week—This Morning I was favored with two Letters from your Son of the 14 & 20th. of This Month—Parents are gratified by hearing of or from Their children—The former Letter was Dated at The Hague—The latter at amsterdam—He had been recd. and acknowledged by The States General, and on the 14th had “a gracious audience of The Stadtholder.”—In his last Letter there is...
10From John Adams to John Jay, 26 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
I have received several kind Letters from You, Since your Arrival in London for which I sincerely thank you as I do for your friendly Attentions to my Sons. Those young Gentlemen have had a Severe Tryal of their Prudence: but the Neutral Character of their Country, I should Suppose, would protect them from Insult as well as from Danger. The Fate of Holland, will I presume have no unfavourable...
11To John Adams from John Jay, 7 July 1795 (Adams Papers)
In Compliance with the Request of Sir John Sinclair I have the Pleasure of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Book which I recd. from him two Days ago. As it is now probable that Col. Smith will meet with a greater number of opportunities of sending it than will occur to me, I shall take the Liberty of committing it to his care— Be pleased to present Mrs. Jay & my best Compts. to Mrs....
12From John Adams to John Jay, 31 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
Dr D’Ivernois continues to send Us his Speculations, which I value the more for giving me an opportunity to congratulate you, on the Durability and impenetrability of the Anvil, while so many hammers are wearing themselves out by their strokes upon it. The Treaty is not arrived and Congress will do nothing with spirit till they have vented themselves upon that. But all their Hammers will be as...
13To John Adams from John Jay, 2 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
I was this morning favored with your obliging Letter of the 31 ult.—D’Ivernois is very industrious.—I hear no more of his plan of transplanting the University of Geneva into the united States. He is a sensible diligent man, and I suspect that his Correspondence with Mr Gallatin has done no Harm— It gives me pleasure to find that in your opinion no great mischief will be done by the combustable...
14From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 2 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which I have just received from Mr. Wolcott the auditor of the Treasury. The information which he wishes to obtain being essential to the proper settlement of several accounts of considerable moment, as they affect both the character and interest of the United States; I request the favour of you, Sir, if there be any document in the office of...
15To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 15 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer will herewith deliver to you a Book of accounts transmitted to me by Mr. Jefferson, and which in my opinion should be deposited in your office. With great esteem and regard &c. LC , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. An asterisk was placed at this point and the words “of Silas Deane” inserted as a footnote. Deane was one of the congressional agents sent to France...
16To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 2 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have now the honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed the extracts requested in your letter to me of the 2d. November last, and am with great respect and esteem &c. LC , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. At the bottom of this letter is the following: “List of papers mentioned in, and transmitted with the aforegoing letter. No. 1. Abstracts and Extracts from the...
17Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 27 August 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of June 19. informing me that permission is given me to make a short visit to my native country, for which indulgence I beg leave to return my thanks to the President, and to yourself, Sir, for the expedition with which you were so good as to forward it after it was obtained. Being advised that October is the best month of the autumn for a passage to America, I...
18From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [9 July 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Certain Circumstances of a delicate nature have occurred, concerning which The President would wish to consult you. They press. Can you consistently with the Governor’s situation afford us your presence here? I cannot say the President directly asks it, lest you should be embarrassed; but he has expressed a strong wish for it. I remain yr. Affect & Obed ALS , Columbia University Libraries....
19From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [13 November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you copies of two resolutions which have passed the house of representatives of Virginia. Others had been proposed and disagreed to. But the war was still going on. A spirited remonstrance to Congress is talked of. This is the first symptom of a spirit which must either be killed or will kill the constitution of the United States. I send the resolutions to you that it may be...
20To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 28 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
On returning from Exeter the Evening before the last, I had the pleasure of recg your Letter of the 13th. Instant with the two Copies mentioned in it. Having no apprehension of such Measures, what was to be done? appeared to me to be a Question of some Difficulty as well as Importance. To treat them as very important might render them more so than I think they are. The Author of McFingall...
21To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 21 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 21, 1790. Recommends John McComb Jr. as “an intelligent sober & industrious young Mechanic.” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. McComb was the son of a prominent New York architect and builder. The younger McComb became his father’s assistant in 1783 and began his own career as a builder in 1790.
22To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 22 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 22, 1790. Recommends that Matthew Clarkson be appointed an inspector of the revenue. ADf , Columbia University Libraries. Clarkson, a resident of New York City, was a regent of the University of the State of New York and a member of the New York Assembly.
23To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 10 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you Copies of a Letter of 3 Augt. from Jacob Cuyler, and of my answer of this Date. It is natural for men circumstanced as he is, to be anxious; and as adversity too often begets neglect, marks of attention are doubly acceptable to men in his Situation. I fear you will find it difficult to do much for his Son. A little will to him be much. At any Rate write to him, and let him percieve...
24To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 14 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 14, 1791. On December 5, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Jay : “Your letter of the 14th of November duly came to hand.” Letter not found. ]
25From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th of November duly came to hand. A temporary absence from this place, some ill health, and much occupation have delayed an acknowlegement ’till this time. Aware of the inconveniences, to which you refer, from the want of a proper provision for defraying the expences of the Courts—I inserted in the estimate presented at the beginning of the session a sum for an...
26John Adams to John Jay, 21 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
A difference of opinion having arisen among those of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund, who are now in this City, respecting the construction of their authority under the Act making provision for the Reduction of the Public Debt, by which they are equally divided, your presence here towards settling the principle which is in question, in order to the future conduct of the business, has become...
27To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 23 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
By the post I recd. this afternoon Letters from the Vice Presidt. & Atty. Genl. calling me to the Board of Trustees. My answers to both are necessarily very concise, having been engag’d by Company, and now being pressed for Time, they are enclosed. I regard my Duty to attend the Courts as being in point of legal Obligation primary , and to attend the Trustees as secondary —and yet I can...
28John Jay to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, [31 March 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Chief Justice of the United States, presents his compliments to the Attorney General, and requests the favor of him to lay before the Board of trustees, the opinion herewith enclosed, on the question stated in their act of the 26th instant; a copy of which the Chief Justice yesterday received, enclosed in the letter which the Attorney General did him the honor to write on the 29th instant....
29From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 30 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer of this is Lt Colonel Toussard, a French Officer, who lost his arm in our service during the late war. He is now Lt Colonel of the Regiment Du Cape , and lately from St Domingo with his family. Being desirous of purchasing some lands in our State, he is setting out on a journey to N York and has requested a line introducing him to you. This I readily comply with, as he is generally...
30From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 3 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The proceedings at Pittsburgh, which you will find stated in the in-closed paper and other incidents, in the Western parts of this state, announce so determined and persevering a spirit of opposition to the laws, as in my opinion to render a vigorous exertion of the powers of government indispensable. I have communicated this opinion to the President and I doubt not his impressions will accord...
31To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 8 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have conferred with Mr King on the Subject of your Letter of the 3d. Inst. We concur in opinion that neither a Proclamation nor a particular charge by the court to the G. Jury, would be adviseable at present. To us it appears more prudent that this Business be opened by the Presidts. Speech at the ensuing Session of congress—their address will manifest the sense of the House, & both together...
32From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [17 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 17, 1792. On September 27, 1792, Rufus King wrote to Hamilton : “Mr Jay … sent me your Letter of the 17th.” Letter not found. ]
33To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 28 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
On Monday the 17th. inst. I set out for Sussex in New Jersey with design after dispatching some private business I had there to proceed from thence on my Circuit. On the 19th. I found myself with a slight inflamation on one eye & some flying Rheumatic pains, to which not suspecting any thing serious I paid little attention. By the 25th. my Eyes were so much inflamed that it was with difficulty...
34To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 26 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 26, 1792. On December 18, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Jay : “Your favours of the 26 of November & 16 instant have duly come to hand.” Letter of November 26 not found. ]
35To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 16 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 16, 1792. On December 18, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Jay : “Your favours of the 26 of November & 16 instant have duly come to hand.” Letter of December 16 not found. ]
36From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 18 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favours of the 26 of November & 16 instant have duly come to hand. I am ashamed that the former has remained so long unacknowleged; though I am persuaded my friends would readily excuse my delinquencies could they appreciate my situation. Tis not the load of proper official business that alone engrosses me; though this would be enough to occupy any man. Tis not the extra attentions I am...
37To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 29 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
On my Return this Evening from Rye, I found your Letter of the 18 Inst: at my House. It is not difficult to perceive that your Situation is unpleasant; and it is easy to predict that your Enemies will endeavour to render it still more so. The Thorns they strew in your way, will (if you please) hereafter blossom, and furnish Garlands to decorate your administration. Resolve not to be driven...
38From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 9 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
When we last conversed together on the subject we were both of opinion that the Minister expected from France should be received. Subsequent circumstances have perhaps induced an additional embarrassment on this point and render it adviseable to reconsider the opinion generally and to raise this further question—Whether he ought to be received absolutely or with qualifications? The King has...
39From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 9 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have already written you by this Post. A further Question occurs. Would not a proclamation prohibitting our citizens from taking Comns. &c on either side be proper? Would it be well that it should include a declaration of Neutrality? If you think the measure prudent could you draft such a thing as you would deem proper? I wish much you could. Truly as Ever ALS , Columbia University Libraries.
40To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 11 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letters of the 9th. Inst. were this Day delivered to me, as I was preparing to go out of town. The Subject of them is important. I have not Time to judge decidedly on some of the points. The enclosed will shew what my present Ideas of a proclamation are—it is hastily drawn—it says nothing of Treaties—it speaks of neutrality, but avoids the Expression because in this country often...
41Enclosure: [Proclamation by George Washington], [April 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
By George Washington President of the U. S. of am⟨erica⟩ a Proclamation. Whereas every nation has a right to change and modify their constitution and Govt., in such manner as they may think most c⟨onducive⟩ to their welfare and Happiness. And Whereas they who a⟨ctually⟩ administer the governmt. of any nation, are by foreign nations ⟨to⟩ be regarded as its lawful Rulers , so long as they...
42To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 24 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
On Saturday week last I arrived at Pha. and very early the next monday morning set out in the Stage for this place. I recollected your Deed, but as Mr Iredell came to Pha. with me, and could take the acknowledgmt. I am persuaded you will excuse my passing on without waiting for that Business. The G. Jury at Richmd. requested a Copy of the Charge, the Burden of which was neutrality , and...
43John Jay and Rufus King to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 26 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
You will recieve herewith enclosed a Publication by Mr Genet denying his having declared that he wd. appeal from the President to the People —a publication by us that we would shortly proceed to state the Evidence and Circumstances relative to that Transaction, and also our manuscript address to the public containing such Statemt. We think it more expedient as well as more delicate with...
44To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 26 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr King & I have written this Day to you & General Knox. To that Letter and its Enclosures I refer you. All Men are under obligations to support the Cause of Truth. I presume therefore that the President will permit you to use all the Evidence of the tract in Question, which may be in his Possession or power, and consequently give you access to such Documents as may perhaps be in the office of...
45Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to John Jay and Rufus King, 27 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
We have received your Letter of the 26th instant. We take to day to revise it and tomorrow or the day after we expect to hand it to some Printer for publication with our Certificate. We are with respect and esteem Your obedient servants John Jay } Esquires. Rufus King LS , in the handwriting of H, Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to H to...
46Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to John Jay, 29 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Notwithstanding the information of this Morning respecting the Insertion in Dunlap’s Paper on Monday, certain reasons determine us rather to return to you the Paper with our certificate. You will find that we have altered nothing material to your purpose. The omission of what concerned the President has proceeded from a scruple about official propriety. We are with respect & esteem Dr Sir ...
47From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 28 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are communications from the Collector of this Port & from Mr. Seton of New York respecting a vessel for your accommodation. Mr. Trumbal at my request has visited the vessels here & thinks there is none but the Andriana (American) which will answer your purpose. Will you be so good as to decide as shall appear to you best upon the vessel you would like & if at New York Mr. Seton is...
48From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 6 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you herewith sundry papers and documents, which contain information that may be not useless to you in your mission. I had wished to have found liesure to say many things to you but my occupations permit me to offer only a few loose observations. We are both impressed equally strongly with the great importance of a right adjustment of all matters of past controversy and future good...
49From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 4 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The session of Congress is about to close much better than I expected. All mischievous measures have been prevented and several good ones have been established. Among these additional provisions of revenue & some of force are not the least important. But as more immediately connected with the objects of your mission you will learn with satisfaction that the bill which had passed the senate...
50To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 18 July[–5 August] 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for the printed paper you sent me, and for your Letter by Monsr. Cadignan. On maturely considering the latter I took an opportunity in an informal conversation with Ld. Grenville to communicate it to him. Still I am unable to say any thing decisive relative to the objects of my mission—appearances continue to be singularly favorable; but appearances merit only a certain degree of...